
Combined phase clinical trials
In drug development, clinical trials can also start with a combined Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical trial, referred to as Phase 1/2, if the investigational medicine and medical need meet certain criteria. This type of clinical trial simultaneously evaluates the safety and early signs of efficacy of the investigational medicine. Combined phase clinical trials - both Phase 1/2 and Phase 2/3 - may allow research questions to be answered more quickly and thus develop potential new treatments faster.